Girl, 3, has surgery after being hit at Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES – A 3-year-old girl whose skull was fractured by a line drive during batting practice at Dodger Stadium underwent surgery Tuesday.

In a statement, officials from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles said they expect Janelle Briseno will be well enough for release by the end of the week.

“The surgery went well, and we anticipate a full recovery,” said Dr. J. Gordon McComb, the hospital’s head of neurosurgery.

The accident occurred Monday when Dodgers catcher Russell Martin hit a line drive into the stands near third base, hitting Janelle and knocking her unconscious, said Dodgers spokesman Joe Jareck. Janelle was sitting with her father, Jose Briseno, who rushed her to the first-aid station. The fire department transported her to the hospital.

“I was just saying, ‘Please, God. Don’t do this to me. She doesn’t deserve it,”‘ Jose Briseno told reporters outside the hospital. “It’s the scariest noise I’ve ever heard in my life. I just saw my daughter hit the floor.”

Jareck said batting practice continued, but Martin was upset by the incident and has offered to pay for the girl’s medical expenses.

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Martin said he spoke with the Janelle’s father on Tuesday.

“I’m just glad to hear that she had surgery earlier today and she’s doing better, and long-term she’s going to be OK,” he said before the game against St. Louis. “I’m sure she’s still a little bit shaken up. It’s definitely tough for the whole family, but at least the good news is that she’s going to be OK.”

Martin said he’d like to visit Janelle when the time is right.

“My prayers were with her yesterday, and she’s OK today, so that’s a good thing,” he said.